Ian Evatt issues immediate reaction to Blackpool's defeat to Stevenage
Blackpool were defeated 1-0 by Stevenage on the road.
Ian Evatt states Blackpool failed to play the game they set out to play in their 1-0 defeat to Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium.
Harvey White’s second half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides, as play-off hopefuls Boro moved back into League One’s top six.
The result in Hertfordshire keeps the pressure on Ian Evatt’s side, who are just above the third tier’s relegation zone, alongside wins for both Wigan Athletic and Exeter City out of the teams around them in the table.
“We competed, we battled and we fought - we knew we had to,” he said.
“It was a game of very little quality on a dry pitch, and we resorted to their style - direct based, set plays; we didn’t try to pass enough or show enough courage to get the ball, even in difficult positions. When you take a team on at their own game, you’re not going to win.
“We created enough. We had one or two chances in the first half, and in the second we hit the post. The game was likely to be decided by a set play, and I’m disappointed with how we dealt with the second phase, because largely all afternoon we had dealt with them.
“I don’t think there was anything in the game, there was nothing in it. For us, the worst case, it should be 0-0.
“I’m disappointed after the run of clean sheets that we conceded a sloppy goal. I don’t think we played our game enough - too often we resorted to giving it to Bailey (Peacock-Farrell) and using his kicks to put them under pressure.
“We just needed to link two or three passes and show some composure to get their giants out their slots and try and play in behind that way, but we did it too early, too often.”
Evatt was left frustrated by the stoppages allowed after Stevenage’s goal, and how they weren’t accounted for on the 90-minute mark.
“I don’t agree with five added on,” he added.
“Ball boys once they scored went missing, balls on the cones around the pitch went missing - we spoke about added time and the fourth said he was going to do it, and then he didn’t.
“I don’t know if that would’ve changed anything, but right is right and fair is fair.”
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